S20-S29
Medium Complexity
Injuries to the neck
Primary Specialty: Emergency Medicine
Last Updated: 2025-09-10
ICD-10 Codes (200)
198 billable0 category headers
S21S21.0Billable
S21.00Billable
S21.001Billable
S21.002Billable
S21.009Billable
S21.01Billable
S21.011Billable
S21.012Billable
S21.019Billable
S21.02Billable
S21.021Billable
S21.022Billable
S21.029Billable
S21.03Billable
S21.031Billable
S21.032Billable
S21.039Billable
S21.04Billable
S21.041Billable
S21.042Billable
S21.049Billable
S21.05Billable
S21.051Billable
S21.052Billable
S21.059Billable
S21.1Billable
S21.10Billable
S21.101Billable
S21.102Billable
S21.109Billable
S21.11Billable
S21.111Billable
S21.112Billable
S21.119Billable
S21.12Billable
S21.121Billable
S21.122Billable
S21.129Billable
S21.13Billable
S21.131Billable
S21.132Billable
S21.139Billable
S21.14Billable
S21.141Billable
S21.142Billable
S21.149Billable
S21.15Billable
S21.151Billable
S21.152Billable
S21.159Billable
S21.2Billable
S21.20Billable
S21.201Billable
S21.202Billable
S21.209Billable
S21.21Billable
S21.211Billable
S21.212Billable
S21.219Billable
S21.22Billable
S21.221Billable
S21.222Billable
S21.229Billable
S21.23Billable
S21.231Billable
S21.232Billable
S21.239Billable
S21.24Billable
S21.241Billable
S21.242Billable
S21.249Billable
S21.25Billable
S21.251Billable
S21.252Billable
S21.259Billable
S21.3Billable
S21.30Billable
S21.301Billable
S21.302Billable
S21.309Billable
S21.31Billable
S21.311Billable
S21.312Billable
S21.319Billable
S21.32Billable
S21.321Billable
S21.322Billable
S21.329Billable
S21.33Billable
S21.331Billable
S21.332Billable
S21.339Billable
S21.34Billable
S21.341Billable
S21.342Billable
S21.349Billable
S21.35Billable
S21.351Billable
S21.352Billable
S21.359Billable
S21.4Billable
S21.40Billable
S21.401Billable
S21.402Billable
S21.409Billable
S21.41Billable
S21.411Billable
S21.412Billable
S21.419Billable
S21.42Billable
S21.421Billable
S21.422Billable
S21.429Billable
S21.43Billable
S21.431Billable
S21.432Billable
S21.439Billable
S21.44Billable
S21.441Billable
S21.442Billable
S21.449Billable
S21.45Billable
S21.451Billable
S21.452Billable
S21.459Billable
S21.9Billable
S21.90Billable
S21.91Billable
S21.92Billable
S21.93Billable
S21.94Billable
S21.95Billable
S22S22.0Billable
S22.00Billable
S22.000Billable
S22.001Billable
S22.002Billable
S22.008Billable
S22.009Billable
S22.01Billable
S22.010Billable
S22.011Billable
S22.012Billable
S22.018Billable
S22.019Billable
S22.02Billable
S22.020Billable
S22.021Billable
S22.022Billable
S22.028Billable
S22.029Billable
S22.03Billable
S22.030Billable
S22.031Billable
S22.032Billable
S22.038Billable
S22.039Billable
S22.04Billable
S22.040Billable
S22.041Billable
S22.042Billable
S22.048Billable
S22.049Billable
S22.05Billable
S22.050Billable
S22.051Billable
S22.052Billable
S22.058Billable
S22.059Billable
S22.06Billable
S22.060Billable
S22.061Billable
S22.062Billable
S22.068Billable
S22.069Billable
S22.07Billable
S22.070Billable
S22.071Billable
S22.072Billable
S22.078Billable
S22.079Billable
S22.08Billable
S22.080Billable
S22.081Billable
S22.082Billable
S22.088Billable
S22.089Billable
S22.2Billable
S22.20Billable
S22.21Billable
S22.22Billable
S22.23Billable
S22.24Billable
S22.3Billable
S22.31Billable
S22.32Billable
S22.39Billable
S22.4Billable
Updates & Changes
FY 2026 Updates
Current Year
New Codes (1)
S06.2X9A
Diffuse traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness of unspecified duration, initial encounter
Revised Codes (1)
S06.0X0A
Concussion without loss of consciousness - updated post-concussion syndrome correlation
Deleted Codes
No codes deleted in this range for FY 2026
Historical Changes
- •FY 2025: Routine maintenance updates with minor terminology clarifications
- •FY 2024: Enhanced specificity requirements for certain code ranges
- •FY 2023: Updated documentation guidelines for improved clarity
Upcoming Changes
- •Proposed updates pending review by Coordination and Maintenance Committee
- •Under consideration: Enhanced digital health integration codes
Implementation Guidance
- •Review all FY 2026 updates for S20-S29 codes before implementation
- •Always verify the most current codes in the ICD-10-CM manual
- •Ensure clinical documentation supports the selected diagnosis codes
- +3 more guidance items...
Range Overview
high priority
The ICD-10 code range S20-S29 pertains to injuries to the neck. These codes are used to document various types of neck injuries such as superficial injuries, open wounds, fractures, dislocations, sprains and strains, and other internal injuries of the neck. The codes in this range are used in a wide variety of medical settings, including emergency departments, orthopedic clinics, and primary care offices.
Key Usage Points:
- •Always code to the highest level of specificity.
- •Use additional code(s) to identify any associated injuries.
- •For injuries that involve more than one region of the neck, assign separate codes for each injury if there are specific codes for each site.
- •If no specific code exists, assign the appropriate code for the most serious injury.
- •If a patient is seen for treatment of complications of a neck injury, assign the appropriate complication code(s) in addition to the code for the neck injury.
Coding Guidelines
When to Use:
- ✓When a patient presents with a neck injury.
- ✓When a patient is seen for follow-up care related to a neck injury.
- ✓When a patient is seen for complications of a neck injury.
- ✓When a patient is seen for rehabilitation following a neck injury.
- ✓When a patient is seen for a late effect of a neck injury.
When NOT to Use:
- ✗When a patient presents with a condition that is not a neck injury.
- ✗When a patient presents with a symptom or condition that is a normal result of aging, not an injury.
- ✗When a patient presents with a condition that is due to a congenital anomaly, not an injury.
- ✗When a patient presents with a condition that is due to a disease process, not an injury.
- ✗When a patient presents with a condition that is due to a surgical procedure, not an injury.
Code Exclusions
Always verify exclusions by consulting the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting.
Documentation Requirements
Documentation for neck injuries should include the type of injury, the specific location of the injury, the cause of the injury, any associated injuries, and the patient's progress and response to treatment.
Clinical Information:
- •Type of neck injury
- •Specific location of neck injury
- •Cause of neck injury
- •Associated injuries
- •Patient's progress and response to treatment
Supporting Evidence:
- •Medical history
- •Physical examination findings
- •Diagnostic test results
- •Operative reports
Good Documentation Example:
Patient presents with a fracture of the sixth cervical vertebra due to a fall from a ladder. The patient also has a concussion.
Poor Documentation Example:
Patient fell from a ladder and hurt his neck.
Common Documentation Errors:
- âš Not documenting the specific location of the injury
- âš Not documenting the cause of the injury
- âš Not documenting associated injuries
- âš Not documenting the patient's progress and response to treatment
Range Statistics
9
Total Codes
198
Billable
Complexity:
Medium
Primary Use:Clinical Documentation
Chapter:19
Coding Complexity
Medium
Complexity Rating
Coding for neck injuries can be moderately complex due to the need to determine the specific location of the injury, identify any associated injuries, determine the cause of the injury, assess the patient's progress and response to treatment, and apply the appropriate seventh character.
Key Factors:
- â–¸Determining the specific location of the injury
- â–¸Identifying any associated injuries
- â–¸Determining the cause of the injury
- â–¸Assessing the patient's progress and response to treatment
- â–¸Applying the appropriate seventh character for initial encounter, subsequent encounter, or sequela
Specialty Focus
These codes are used by a wide variety of medical specialties, including emergency medicine, orthopedics, neurology, and primary care.
Primary Specialties:
Emergency Medicine
40%
Orthopedics
30%
Neurology
20%
Primary Care
10%
Clinical Scenarios:
- • A patient presents to the emergency department with a neck injury due to a motor vehicle accident.
- • A patient is seen in an orthopedic clinic for follow-up care of a fracture of the cervical spine.
- • A patient is seen in a neurology clinic for treatment of a spinal cord injury.
- • A patient is seen in a primary care office for treatment of a minor neck sprain.
Resources & References
Resources for coding neck injuries include the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, coding clinic advice, and continuing education opportunities.
Official Guidelines:
- ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting
- American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Coding Clinic
- American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) ICD-10-CM Code Book
Clinical References:
- American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) Clinical Policies
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Clinical Practice Guidelines
- American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Practice Guidelines
Educational Materials:
- AHIMA ICD-10-CM Training
- AAPC ICD-10-CM Training
- ICD-10-CM Webinars
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the seventh character for initial encounter?
The seventh character for initial encounter is 'A'.
What is the seventh character for subsequent encounter?
The seventh character for subsequent encounter is 'D'.
What is the seventh character for sequela?
The seventh character for sequela is 'S'.